Check out restaurant menus from Seattle’s past

This is what the 5 Point looked like in 1929. (Seattle Public Library)

This is what the 5 Point looked like in 1929. (Seattle Public Library)

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Here's a copy of the 5 Point's menu from 1929. Those are cents, not dollars. (Seattle Public Library)

Here's a copy of the 5 Point's menu from 1929. Those are cents, not dollars. (Seattle Public Library)

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Here's the Mecca Cafe in 2008. (Google Street View)

Here's the Mecca Cafe in 2008. (Google Street View)

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Here's what the Mecca's menu looked like in 1929. (Seattle Public Library)

Here's what the Mecca's menu looked like in 1929. (Seattle Public Library)

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Clarks Round the Clock at Olive Way and Terry Avenue, shown here in 1938, was a popular hangout for Seattle College students including John and Ed O'Brien who would go there with basketball teammates after big games. Clark's, owned by Walter Clark, has been closed for years and this building was demolished. (seattlepi.com file) less

Clarks Round the Clock at Olive Way and Terry Avenue, shown here in 1938, was a popular hangout for Seattle College students including John and Ed O'Brien who would go there with basketball teammates after big ... more

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This is what the inside of Clark's on Fifth Avenue looked like in 1939. (seattlepi.com file)

This is what the inside of Clark's on Fifth Avenue looked like in 1939. (seattlepi.com file)

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Here is part oif an early bar menu for Clark's Crane Cafe. (Seattle Public Library)

Here is part oif an early bar menu for Clark's Crane Cafe. (Seattle Public Library)

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When Paul McCartney and The Beatles came to Seattle in the summer of 1964 they stayed at the Edgewater Inn. (Courtesy Ann Wright)

When Paul McCartney and The Beatles came to Seattle in the summer of 1964 they stayed at the Edgewater Inn. (Courtesy Ann Wright)

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This was the Thanksgiving menu the following November. (Seattle Public Library)

This was the Thanksgiving menu the following November. (Seattle Public Library)

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This was the Executive Suite at Canlis in 1958. (seattlepi.com file)

This was the Executive Suite at Canlis in 1958. (seattlepi.com file)

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Here's a photo of the Canlis dining room in the 1980s. (Seattle Public Library)

Here's a photo of the Canlis dining room in the 1980s. (Seattle Public Library)

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This is part of Canlis' first menu from 1950. In 2010, the celebrated Seattle restaurant did a menu search around Seattle and people who found the menus were able to eat there for 1950s prices. (Seattle Public Library) less

This is part of Canlis' first menu from 1950. In 2010, the celebrated Seattle restaurant did a menu search around Seattle and people who found the menus were able to eat there for 1950s prices. (Seattle Public ... more

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The 4th Avenue Drive-In, shown here on an early menu, was three blocks south of King Street. (Seattle Public Library)

The 4th Avenue Drive-In, shown here on an early menu, was three blocks south of King Street. (Seattle Public Library)

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Ice Cream was popular at the 4th Avenue Drive-In. (Seattle Public Library)

Ice Cream was popular at the 4th Avenue Drive-In. (Seattle Public Library)

This is what the menu at Don's was like in 1939. (Seattle Public Library)

This is what the menu at Don's was like in 1939. (Seattle Public Library)

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What's now Buckley's in lower Queen Anne was once home to Duke's. (Google Maps)

What's now Buckley's in lower Queen Anne was once home to Duke's. (Google Maps)

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When Duke's was on lower Queen Anne, the sidewalk was painted blue and white. The city objected and made Duke's remove the paint in October 1986. (seattlepi.com file)

When Duke's was on lower Queen Anne, the sidewalk was painted blue and white. The city objected and made Duke's remove the paint in October 1986. (seattlepi.com file)

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This undated Duke's menu from the lower Queen Anne location lists the appetizers. (Seattle Public Library)

This undated Duke's menu from the lower Queen Anne location lists the appetizers. (Seattle Public Library)

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Here's the Duke's dessert list. (Seattle Public Library)

Here's the Duke's dessert list. (Seattle Public Library)

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Long before Northgate was remodeled, there was a Farrell's restaurant where the food court is now. This picture is from 1974. (seattlepi.com)

Long before Northgate was remodeled, there was a Farrell's restaurant where the food court is now. This picture is from 1974. (seattlepi.com)

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The Hot Volcano Party was an option at Farrell's in 1975. (Seattle Public Library)

The Hot Volcano Party was an option at Farrell's in 1975. (Seattle Public Library)

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So was the Police Force Party. (Seattle Public Library)

So was the Police Force Party. (Seattle Public Library)

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The building at 315 First Ave. W. has had many names, including the Skybox Sports Lounge, the notorious Mr. Lucky's and here, in 2008, as the Mainstage comedy and music club. But when the Sonics were big in the Seattle Center Coliseum, the building was home to Chicago's. (Google Street View) less

The building at 315 First Ave. W. has had many names, including the Skybox Sports Lounge, the notorious Mr. Lucky's and here, in 2008, as the Mainstage comedy and music club. But when the Sonics were big in ... more

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This is an undated menu for Chicago's across from what's now KeyArena. (Seattle Public Library)

This is an undated menu for Chicago's across from what's now KeyArena. (Seattle Public Library)

When you could still smoke in Seattle restaurants, F.X. McRory's had cigars on the menu. (Seattle Public Library)

When you could still smoke in Seattle restaurants, F.X. McRory's had cigars on the menu. (Seattle Public Library)

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The Paul Bunyan Room was popular at Frederick and Nelson, which is where Nordstrom's flagship store is today. (Seattle Public Library)

The Paul Bunyan Room was popular at Frederick and Nelson, which is where Nordstrom's flagship store is today. (Seattle Public Library)

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One of the options was a signature Frango shake. This menu is from the 1970s. (Seattle Public Library)

One of the options was a signature Frango shake. This menu is from the 1970s. (Seattle Public Library)

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By 1959 the drive-in was Good Food. Later it was Green Lake Jake's until it was demolished in 1995. (Puget Sound Regional Archives)

By 1959 the drive-in was Good Food. Later it was Green Lake Jake's until it was demolished in 1995. (Puget Sound Regional Archives)

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Green Lake Jake's had "under one billion sold" in an obvious dig at McDonald's. (Seattle Public Library)

Green Lake Jake's had "under one billion sold" in an obvious dig at McDonald's. (Seattle Public Library)

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Green Lake Jake's was also the only place in town that sold Green River soda. (Seattle Public Library)

Green Lake Jake's was also the only place in town that sold Green River soda. (Seattle Public Library)

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Andy's Diner was first opened in 1949 by Andy Nagy. The restaurant on Fourth Avenue South, which closed in 2008, had one of the rail cars that President Franklin Roosevelt traveled in during his 1944 re-election campaign. (seattlepi.com file) less

Andy's Diner was first opened in 1949 by Andy Nagy. The restaurant on Fourth Avenue South, which closed in 2008, had one of the rail cars that President Franklin Roosevelt traveled in during his 1944 ... more

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This is part of the menu for Andy's. (Seattle Public Library)

This is part of the menu for Andy's. (Seattle Public Library)

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Andy's Sirloin Club Steak was popular. (Seattle Public Library)

Andy's Sirloin Club Steak was popular. (Seattle Public Library)

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Despite what it looks like, Andy's waitresses were picketing to advertise the good benefits they'd received for 25 years. This picture was taken in 1974, according to P-I archive notes. (seattlepi.com file) less

Despite what it looks like, Andy's waitresses were picketing to advertise the good benefits they'd received for 25 years. This picture was taken in 1974, according to P-I archive notes. (seattlepi.com ... more

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The back of Andy's menu taught patrons about train signals. (Seattle Public Library)

The back of Andy's menu taught patrons about train signals. (Seattle Public Library)

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Benihana, at Fifth Avenue and University Street, is known for its seating around an open, flattop grill. (Google Street View)

Benihana, at Fifth Avenue and University Street, is known for its seating around an open, flattop grill. (Google Street View)

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Here's part of Benihana's Seattle menu from 1978. (seattlepi.com file)

Here's part of Benihana's Seattle menu from 1978. (seattlepi.com file)

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This is the second location of The Dog House, Seventh Avenue and Bell Street. The picture was taken in January 1994, the month the beloved Seattle greasy spoon closed its 24-hour operation for good. (seattlepi.com file) less

This is the second location of The Dog House, Seventh Avenue and Bell Street. The picture was taken in January 1994, the month the beloved Seattle greasy spoon closed its 24-hour operation for good. ... more

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Every good Seattleite knew all roads led to The Dog House. (Seattle Public Library)

Every good Seattleite knew all roads led to The Dog House. (Seattle Public Library)

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This is part of The Dog House's menu from the month it closed, January 1994. Its final hour was broadcast on KCTS/9. (Seattle Public Library)

This is part of The Dog House's menu from the month it closed, January 1994. Its final hour was broadcast on KCTS/9. (Seattle Public Library)

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Can you imagine the Bite of Seattle at Green Lake? It was, in the early years. This is a handout from 1983. (Seattle Public Library)

Can you imagine the Bite of Seattle at Green Lake? It was, in the early years. This is a handout from 1983. (Seattle Public Library)

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Most of the restaurants that were at the Bite in 1983 are no longer around. (Seattle Public Library)

Most of the restaurants that were at the Bite in 1983 are no longer around. (Seattle Public Library)

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El Gaucho has received rave reviews in Seattle for decades. (Google Street View)

El Gaucho has received rave reviews in Seattle for decades. (Google Street View)

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Here is one of El Gaucho's early menus. (Seattle Public Library)

Here is one of El Gaucho's early menus. (Seattle Public Library)

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The Elks Lodge at Northeast 145th Street and Bothell Way Northeast, just across the street from the North Seattle line, was especially popular in the 1960s. (Department of Assessments)

The Elks Lodge at Northeast 145th Street and Bothell Way Northeast, just across the street from the North Seattle line, was especially popular in the 1960s. (Department of Assessments)

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The lodge opened in 1964 and in that decade tenderloin steaks were $3. (Seattle Public Library)

The lodge opened in 1964 and in that decade tenderloin steaks were $3. (Seattle Public Library)

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Tom Douglas' coconut cream pie has been on the Dahlia Louge menu for more than two decades. (Seattle Public Library)

Tom Douglas' coconut cream pie has been on the Dahlia Louge menu for more than two decades. (Seattle Public Library)

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Remember Burgerworks near Gas Work's Park? (Seattle Public Library)

Remember Burgerworks near Gas Work's Park? (Seattle Public Library)

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These prices for Drake's aren't in dollars ...

These prices for Drake's aren't in dollars ...

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This Drake's Restaurant menu is from March 11, 1910. (Seattle Public Library)

This Drake's Restaurant menu is from March 11, 1910. (Seattle Public Library)

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Check out restaurant menus from Seattle's past

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Back to Gallery

Today, instead of a standard “then and now” gallery, we have a unique look back at some of Seattle’s bygone restaurants and a few that are still here.

The Seattle Public Library has a well-archived collection of Northwest restaurant menus, and those can be good portals to bygone eras. We paired images of some of those menus with photos from the seattlepi.com archive.

The gallery has images of Farrell’s ice cream parlor, the first menu for Canlis, a few images from Clark’s, a flashback to Duke’s early days and several more.

The menus in this gallery are only a handful from the collection, and other galleries will follow. If you like these, there’s good news: the Seattle Public Library staff in the Seattle Room are working to digitize them and should have them available online in a few months. In the meantime, check out other great Seattle images and documents in the library’s online special collections.